Image Size / File Quality Options

The D70 provides for selection of output image size and
quality separately, it provides three different image size options of
3008 x 2000 (6.0 million pixels), 2240 x 1488 (3.3 million pixels) and
1504 x 1000 (1.5 million pixels). These can be selected in combination
with three JPEG quality levels of Fine, Normal or Basic. Additionally
of course there is RAW mode (Nikon NEF format), which is losslessly compressed
(a bit like zip compression). Lastly there is also a RAW+JPEG mode which
outputs a separate RAW file and Large JPEG, the disappointment with this
feature however is that the JPEG is output at Basic quality and there
is no option to change it.

Standard Test Scene

To give an impression of what some of the combinations
of image size and quality produce the table below is a cross reference
of some of them:

3008 x 2000 RAW (to TIFF using Nikon Capture 4.1)

3008 x 2000 JPEG Large / Fine

3008 x 2000 JPEG Large / Normal

3008 x 2000 JPEG Large / Basic

2240 x 1488 JPEG Medium / Fine

1504 x 1000 JPEG Small / Fine

Crops below are of the same 240 x 100 area of each image nearest neighbour
magnified 200%.

As you can see Nikon Capture renders the RAW image with
more contrast (and also more color saturation) than the in-camera processing
algorithm. It is quite difficult to see any JPEG artifacts at the Fine
or Normal compression settings, dropping down to Basic does introduce
'mosquito' type artifacts around detail as well as the smoothing of large
areas of similar color.

Color modes

Just like other Nikon digital SLR's the D70 provides three
color modes, Mode Ia and IIIa are both mapped to the sRGB color space
and so images shot in these modes will look correct immediately and can
be used as is. Color mode IIIa has been designed for use for nature and
landscape shots, it provides richer greens and a more natural balance
of other colors.

Mode II is mapped to the Adobe RGB color space, this provides
for a wider color gamut but will require conversion to sRGB for computer
monitor output. Many professional photographers and publications have
standardized on Adobe RGB, this ability is now expected of almost all
digital SLR's. The D70 uses a different filename mask for Adobe RGB images,
they begin with "_DSC" instead of the normal "DSC_".
They are also now embedded with the Adobe RGB color profile, this means
that color space aware applications such as Adobe Photoshop immediately
recognize and apply the correct color profile.

GretagMacBeth ColorChecker samples

Place your mouse over the labels below the image to see
the GretagMacbeth ColorChecker chart taken in each color mode.

Settings: Parameters: Normal, ISO
200, Nikkor DX 18-70 mm

Ia
(sRGB)

II
(Adobe RGB)*

IIIa
(sRGB)

* Note that the Adobe RGB image has been converted to
the sRGB color space for correct display in your web browser.

Studio scene samples

Note that in these samples the Adobe RGB image has NOT been converted
to sRGB and so to view it correctly you will have to load it into a color
space aware photo application and assign the Adobe RGB color space. Below
each sample is that image's CIE u'v' Color Distribution chart; larger
gray triangle approximately represents the range of color which the human
eye can resolve, the inner triangle the available gamut in each color
space (sRGB or Adobe RGB).

Comments

Had this DSLR since 2004 and I still can't get enough of it. It feels so much more solid than any reasonably priced offerings of modern day. And the kit lens...what a fantastic kit lens! Reaches longer and has a faster aperture than any kit lens of today. A true workhorse combination.﻿

I have one - I wouldn't say it feels more solid. It's about as composite (plastic)-ish as any other well built Nikon (or other brand). My ex-GF dropped her sister's D70 years ago; it cracked down the middle and stopped working, so they're not exactly bulletproof. :)

I think thant as of January 2005 it's one of the most popular cameras of all time and usually in short supply. Since stores can sell as many of them as Nikon can ship no one has any reason to have to discount. I've never seen a discount from anyone, and all the discounts I've seen are from scam operations who never really have any to ship. I just got on a waiting list and my camera appeared. Be very wary of fraud over the internet. Adorama and B&H and Amazon are fine, but be careful of the thousands of others offering these.